College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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    Evaluation of potential botanicals (Virnonia amygdalina and Ipomoea batatas) on the post-harvest quality characteristics of farmer-saved seed maize (Zea mays L.)
    (KNUST, 2015-12) Mohammed, Sulley
    ABSTRACT This study was conducted in order to evaluate the potentials of two botanicals, bitter leaf (Virnonia amygdalina) and sweet potato leaf (Ipomoea batatas) on the postharvest quality characteristics of farmer-saved seed maize (Zea mays L.) collected from respondents in the study areas, that is, Ejura, Sekyedumasi and Nkoranza communities. The seeds were treated with the tested botanical materials and stored for a period of four (4) months. The plant extracts, also called botanicals were compared with a synthetic chemical (Insector T45) dust, as a standard, and without chemical treatment as controls The same rates, 5.0% w/w,of each of the two plant extracts in powdered form and a synthetic chemical (Insector T45) at the rate of 0.25% w/w were admixed with one hundred grams seed lots of each of the five different seed maize varieties obtained across the study areas and packaged into high density polythene bags. Seed treatment with synthetic chemical and another without chemical treatment were used as a comparative control for the plant extract treatment. Results showed that all the two tested botanicals, Virnonia amygdalina and Ipomoea batatas have the ability to protect the seed maize quality characteristics during storage. This present finding or study recommend ground powder of bitter leaf (Virnonia amygdalina) and sweet potato leaf (Ipomoea batatas) as a good substitute to the synthetic chemical, insector T45, as a seed maize preservative during storage. The results are also discussed on the need to use plant extracts by resource poor small scale maize farmers as a sustainable and cost effective treatment application of stored seed maize as an alternative to synthetic chemical application treatment of seed maize during storage
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    Effect of different levels of inclusion of sugarcane- Pineapple cocktails and packaging materials on Quality of “BISSAP”; A drink made from hibiscus Sabdariff
    (KNUST, 2019-07) Thompson, Dorcas Naa Norley
    A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of inclusion of sugarcane-pineapple cocktails and packaging materials on quality of “bissap”; a drink made from dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The levels of inclusion were generated with the help of Minitab 2017 software and sensory attributes of the resulting cocktails were evaluated for their flavour, taste, sourness and sweetness. The results of the study showed that, a cocktail of 30% bissap extract, 20% pineapple and 50% sugarcane juice was the overall most acceptable cocktail. A 30% bissap extract, 40% pineapple and 30% sugarcane juice was the most acceptable in terms flavour. The most highly preferred taste was from the cocktail comprising 33% bissap extract, 33% pineapple and 34% sugarcane. In terms of sourness the most accepted cocktail was 30% bissap, 20% pineapple and 50% sugarcane juice. The sweetening effect derived from the combination of 30% bissap extract, 40% pineapple and 30% sugarcane juice was the most accepted among the other formulations. The optimization analysis derived from the Minitab 2017 software used gave the most favourable product as 30% bissap extract, 38% pineapple and 32% sugarcane juice which was significantly different (p≤ 0.05) among the treatments over a four week storage period. The colour of the cocktail reduced in clarity from 33.78 in plastic bottle under ambient condition to 25.08, from 31.16 in glass bottle under ambient condition to 27.13, from 31.15 in plastic bottle under refrigeration to 24.98 and from 26.29 in glass bottle under refrigeration to 27.83. The total soluble acids (TSS) reduced from 10° brix to 9.82° brix in plastic bottle and from 9.68° brix to 9.18° brix in glass bottle. Total titrable acidity (TTA) dropped from 0.45% in plastic bottle under ambient condition to 0.19%, from 0.44% in glass iv v bottle under ambient condition to 0.25%, from 0.45% in plastic bottle under refrigeration to 0.20% and from 0.27% in glass under refrigeration to 0.18%. The pH levels increased from 2.96 in plastic bottle under ambient condition to 3.76, from 2.90 in glass bottle under ambient condition to 3.74, from 2.88 in plastic bottle under refrigeration to 3.74 and from 2.96 in glass bottle under refrigeration to 3.68. The vitamin C content decreased from 4.37 mg/100g to 3.16 mg/100g in plastic bottle and from 3.53 mg/100g to 2.78 mg/100g in glass bottle. The total ash dropped from 1.37 % in plastic bottle under ambient condition to 0.45 %, from 2.44 % in glass bottle under ambient condition to 1.08 %, from 0.63 % in plastic bottle under refrigeration to 0.34 % and from 0.76 % in glass bottle under refrigeration to 0.55 %. After four weeks of storage of the drinks, mould and yeast counts and aerobic plate count (APC) of microbes, were significantly high (p≤ 0.05) in the plastic bottles under ambient condition (22oC to 28oC) but there were no moulds and yeasts in the refrigerated bottled drinks. No coliforms were present in all treatments throughout the storage period.
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    Screening ten varieties of maize (Zea mays L.) For resistance to The maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.)
    (KNUST, 2019-01) Danson-Anokye Alexander
    ost-harvest maize insect pests are a serious constraint to food security and income generation in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten varieties of maize cultivated in Ghana were screened to ascertain their resistance to the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais L. to assist farmers select a variety that can withstand the attack of the insect during storage. The study was conducted at the insect laboratory of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KNUST, Kumasi. The Dodie Index of Susceptibility was used to group the varieties. Abeleehi, Omankwa, Abontem, and Adikanfo had indices less than 4 hence were classified as resistant. Weevils placed on Abeleehi produced the smallest number of progeny, had the highest median development period and lowest percentage seed damage and weight loss. Obatanpa, Aburohoma, Aburohemaa and Pan 12 were classified as moderately resistant whiles 10C8446 and 12C7636 were classified as moderately susceptible. Abeleehi had the best germination percentage with 12C7636 recording the lowest germination percentage after 90 days of storage. The resistant varieties, particularly Abeleehi can be recommended for S. zeamais management in maize especially for smallholder farmers in Ghana, whose seed can also be saved by farmers for planting in the subsequent season
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    Influence of different modes of transportation systems on the postharvest quality characteristics of watermelon (citrullus lanatus) in the Tamale Metropolitan area in the Northern region of Ghana
    (KNUST, 2016-04) Yakubu, Victor Atmoning
    The high perishability of fruits and vegetables in the agricultural sector is a major concern to scientists and the various stakeholders along the value chain. Postharvest handling practices and transportation systems among others are some of the factors leading to an appreciable amount of postharvest losses. This study therefore sought to determine the influence of different modes of transportation systems on the postharvest quality characteristics of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) in the Tamale metropolitan, in the Northern region of Ghana. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 assessed the handling and management of watermelon and Phase 2 assessed the chemical and physical qualities of the watermelon varieties (Crimson Sweet, Charleston and Sweet Baby) after using different modes of transportation. Combination of purposive and convenient sampling strategies was used to select 50 respondents for questionnaire administration. From the field survey, it was observed that majority (60%) of the water melon traders sourced their watermelon at the farm gate while twenty-four (24%) and sixteen percent (16%) respectively obtained their watermelon from wholesalers and retailers. The two major problems faced by the watermelon traders were storage facility (25.70%) and mechanical damages (74.30%). Cracks (26.90%) and bruises (73.10%) were the major contributing factors to the mechanical damage. After different modes of transportation, the moisture ranged between 91.00% - 96%, TSS ranged between 6.96% - 8.56% and pH from 5.07% - 5.30%. The bruises on the fruits increased from between 2.00% - 4.33% to 15.66% - 25.66% while the cracks increased from between 1.00% -2.33% to 3.66% -8.00%. Water melon fruits were affected by mode of transportation, especially, the Crimson Sweet variety transported in the tricycle (motor king). The tricycle can, however, be roofed to prevent the dropping off of the fruits and also lined to prevent mechanical injuries inflicted on the fruits during transportation.
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    Inclusiveness and livelihood empowerment in community Forestry projects: the case of SADA afforestation project in Northern Ghana
    (KNUST, 2016-05) Osman, Sulley
    In order to ensure wood supply and reduce pressure on the natural woodlands in Northern Ghana, the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) undertook an afforestation project in a number of communities in 2012. This study was conducted to assess inclusiveness and livelihood empowerment of the SADA afforestation project inNanumba North and South districts of Northern Ghana. The mixed method research design was used. Data was collected through structured questionnaire from 127 field workers and triangulated with interview schedules from key informants and focus group discussion from the six selected communities. The study found that local people from the selected communities and NGOs/CSOs were not involved in decision-making. A simple chi-square test (0.062) showed that, the level of involvement did not affect field workers choice of species since (ρ˃ 0.05). Regarding information flow to communities, a chisqure test conducted produced the output (p=0.003). It can therefore be deduced from the table above that, field workers perception of information flow to local people varies from community to community. Though the project lasted for only a year, the livelihood capitals of the beneficiary communities and more particularly the field workers were to some extent enhanced. Field workers constituting 38.6% perceived the human capital to be the most highly enhanced capital since knowledge and skills were acquired. The physical capital (7.9%) was the least enhanced. The communities and field workers were perceived as winners of livelihood outcomes due to the resources created and an increased in their income. In conclusions local people were only recruited to work on the fields, the human capital was the most highly enhanced capital but therewere potentials for other capitals and there were more positive livelihood opportunities or more winners than losers.